A new facility to support Merseyside Police officers experiencing physical and mental health issues has opened in Ribble Valley.



The facilities at the new St Michael’s Lodge building in Ribble Valley, built and provided by the North West Police Benevolent Fund, will be available to all members of the registered charity.

It will provide physiotherapy and counselling for mental health issues for officers of Merseyside Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Constabulary, Cumbria Constabulary and NCA, retired officers of those and previous police forces amalgamated within the constituent forces, together with their dependants.

Situated in the Ribble Valley in Langho (near Clitheroe), Lancashire, St Michael’s Lodge is available for use by members of the North West Police Benevolent Fund for short residential breaks as well as day visits. This building, which has undergone a number of renovations since being purchased by the Benevolent Fund in November 2008, has 30 bedrooms, as well as physiotherapy treatment, a hydrotherapy pool, swimming pool, gymnasium, treatment rooms and holistic therapy and is for residential stays where intensive treatment will benefit the member.

It can be used for day patients but the counselling and physiotherapy treatment offered by the Federation Office at Green Lane is the local easily accessed day treatment point for officers.

Merseyside Police Federation chair Pete Singleton said: “The treatment offered at St Michael’s Lodge will ensure officers can recuperate and get them back to full fitness and back on duty as quickly as possible.

“It has taken about four years to get to where we are with the centre, and an investment of around £2.2m. I am confident it is money well spent and will provide a vital service for officers from across the region who have suffered physical or mental hardship.

“I’m really pleased with the results of the investment – it’s an absolutely fantastic place.”

The contribution to the Fund rates for Bed and breakfast:- Single occupancy £45 / Double occupancy £55 / Larger rooms available £60 Lunch and evening meal also available on request Please Note - St. Michael's Lodge is an adults only facility The treatment facility at St Michael's Lodge is now available for Physiotherapy treatment on a day patient basis, please refer to guidance notes on the 'publications page' for further information and the application form. For further information please visit http://www.nwpbf.org/stmichaels.htm or e-mail jsmithies@nwpbf.org